Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis is among four honorees recognized for their professional achievements at the 43rd annual Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement Luncheon on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis (C) with U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling and J. Strom Thurmond, Jr.U.S. Attorney District South Carolina
Established in 1983 by then-Senator Strom Thurmond, the awards recognize public servants whose performance demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism and public service.
Awards are presented annually in four categories: city or municipal, county, state and federal. Sheriff Lewis was honored in the county category for his professionalism and job performance.
Special Agent Craig Januchowski, FBI Columbia Field Office (C) with U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling and J. Strom Thurmond, Jr.USASC
Federal – Special Agent Craig Januchowski, FBI Columbia Field Office
Major Mayrant Jones Gamble, South Carolina Highway Patrol (C) with U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling and J. Strom Thurmond, Jr.USASC
State – Major Mayrant Jones Gamble, South Carolina Highway Patrol
Chief Chris Watts, Rock Hill Police Department (C) with U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling and J. Strom Thurmond, Jr.USASC
City – Chief Chris Watts, Rock Hill Police Department
Official press release below:
Four S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Honored at 2026 Strom Thurmond Awards
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Four South Carolina law enforcement officers were honored for their achievements today at the 43rd annual Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement Luncheon.
“In South Carolina, we proudly stand with the men and women of law enforcement who work every day to keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling. “These awards reflect our deep appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice. We’re grateful to partner with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association and the Strom Thurmond Foundation to recognize these outstanding public servants.”
State, local, and federal law enforcement officials from across South Carolina attended the awards luncheon to celebrate these officers. The awards are presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, along with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association (SCLEOA) and the Strom Thurmond Foundation.
The 2026 honorees are:
City – Chief Chris Watts, Rock Hill Police Department
County – Sheriff Hobart Lewis, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office
State – Major Mayrant Jones Gamble, South Carolina Highway Patrol
Federal – Special Agent Craig Januchowski, FBI Columbia Field Office
The Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement were established by then Senator Strom Thurmond in 1983 to recognize law enforcement officers whose performances demonstrate the highest ideals of excellence in professional law enforcement. An annual award is given in each of the four categories: (1) city/municipal; (2) county; (3) state; and (4) federal.
An awards committee composed of representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Strom Thurmond Foundation, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, the South Carolina Police Chiefs’ Association, SCLEOA, and past recipients selects the winners from nominations received from across the state.
